17 year old Matthew Fairbrother rides 1500km between EWS races

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17 Year old Matthew Fairbrother is an enduro racer destined for great things, and he’s certainly putting the work in to achieve them.

Deviate sponsored rider @matthewfmtb completed his first U21 EWS race at Tweed Valley Sunday 5th June 2022. He then set off on a week-long trek from the borders to EWS Petzen-Jamnica, Slovenia. This self-supported trip would be a huge undertaking even on a time trial bike, so the fact he’s doing it on his Deviate Highlander enduro bike (with slick tyres) makes it all-the-more impressive. Check out his Instagram for full stats:

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A post shared by Matthew Fairbrother (@matthewfmtb)

Phenomenal. @matthewfmtb has completed his monumental challenge to travel from the first stage of the @world_enduro in Tweed Valley, Scotland to the second stage in Jamnica, Slovenia – all on a Deviate Highlander. This video pulls together some of the highlights from his trip – including intense rain, heat, all-nighters and some of the awesome sights seen along the way…


…An incredible feat and a huge shout out to all those that followed Matthew’s journey and offered him accommodation en route. The MTB community is truly awesome. 

Deviate Cycles

I met Matt in Torridon when he was suffering through an even bigger challenge – a ‘ride’ with James Vincent, which I believe to have been around 80% hike-a-bike. He’s humble, unassuming and I certainly didn’t feel like I was chatting to a 17 year old. This guy has his head screwed on, and I can’t wait to follow his career and see where his determination and limitless-legs take him.

Credit: Rhys Wainwright

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Home Forums 17 year old Matthew Fairbrother rides 1500km between EWS races

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  • 17 year old Matthew Fairbrother rides 1500km between EWS races
  • brakestoomuch
    Full Member

    Blimey, guv, that is impressive.

    weeksy
    Full Member

    yeah he was intereviewed after Fort William on Wyn TV and asked if he was going Leogang, replied with, “yeah i’m cycling over there tomorrow”…. Wyn looked bemused 😀

    Trimix
    Free Member

    Flipping heck – he will wear himself out however and die in the race.

    barney
    Free Member

    Can I just point out that he did all this with NO CHAMOIS?! Dear god, that’s a level of commitment to pain I can’t even contemplate.

    justinbieber
    Full Member

    Only 80% hike-a-bike? I’d say that’s a bit on the low side 😆

    barney
    Free Member

    OK, 80% hike-a-bike, 92% misery. 😘

    charliedontsurf
    Full Member

    nowt cooler than riding all the way to a race. It also gives you a good excuse for a poor result… which I find rather handy.

    tomhoward
    Full Member

    ‘Nah, I’ll not try and squeeze in another practice lap, I’ll save my energy for the race’

    – Tom Howard, 2 days ago, towards the end of practice on a 1 min and lower race course.

    hot_fiat
    Full Member

    What an outstanding effort. I’ve driven most of that route many, many times. It’s certainly not at all flat & must have been a right chore (the thought of the bit between Cologne, Frankfurt and Augsburg gives me the shivers).

    kimbers
    Full Member

    as i walked up the stairs before reading this, I was just thinking how stiff my thighs were after having had to sprint the 7km cycle to work yesterday after a puncture….

    nidderdalenath
    Full Member

    Wow, he’s harder than woodpecker lips

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    Please can he pop a lap in with the bags in place – as coool as…

    bruneep
    Full Member

    Go Fund me page. still think he’s bonkers
    https://www.gofundme.com/f/matthew-fairbrother

    weeksy
    Full Member

    Hi guys,
    Many thanks for the absolutely unbelievable support so far.

    Matthew is totally humbled by all the messages of support and for the donations from so many of you. He’s getting prepared to race in Val di Fassa this weekend and although he is understandably fairly fatigued, he’s feeling strong.

    I can now confirm that Matthew has race entries for the EWS rounds in North America. We are arranging flights (paid for by Deviate Cycles) and we’ve arranged accommodation near Whistler with friends. Additionally, if everything goes to plan Matthew will be riding our brand new Deviate Claymore enduro bike in time for the North American rounds.

    The support you’ve all so kindly lent is going to change the entire situation for Matthew. He is still planning to ride between Burke and Sugarloaf (riding from Whistler to Burke in a week is a bit far, even for Matthew) and he’s now in a position to enjoy some decent meals and a comfy bed every so often!

    Again, many thanks.
    Ben and Matthew

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    😁

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